Darling! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where it's always a fabulous time for a splash of pink and a twirl of a tutu. You know, when I first set off in this time travelling, shimmering tutu, 2050 seemed like ages away! And here we are! Today weâre heading right to the heart of the 21st century - a glitzy, glamorous journey into the year 2050, darlings. So strap on your fanciest footwear, and letâs go!
Right, well, as we all know, travelling through time is a rather messy business (thank you, Doctor Who for the analogy!). When I arrived, I felt a slight pang of jet lag (in time) and was promptly greeted by an array of bright pink billboards shouting, â2050 - where fashion is fearless and drag is everywhere!â Oh honey, if I was wearing any other colour but pink, my whole being would have screamed, "Pinch me, I must be dreaming!"
But letâs get back to the fabulous facts! It turns out that 2050 was the year the entire world declared the month of May "International Drag Queen Appreciation Month." Can you even imagine?! Honestly, darling, it felt like the entire planet was buzzing with fabulous performances, workshops, and all kinds of dazzling events.
Right away, I felt a sense of pure delight. And I tell you what, I wasn't the only one! Every single person on the street was rocking a little bit of "Drag". And Iâm not talking about a âDrag Queenâ in the way we understand the term. Everyone had their own unique âDragâ. You see, darlings, 2050 was all about the celebration of individual expression and taking your fashion cues from that gorgeous little sparkle inside yourself. There was, of course, still room for drag performance in all its vibrant glory but this was a society that welcomed individuality through fashion! Imagine that, honey! The freedom to wear a glittery boa on the bus! No judgement! It was glorious. I almost felt I should change my colour scheme to green for a spell to enjoy that feeling! Almost.
There I was, perched upon my fabulous pink high heel and gliding down a futuristic, neon-lit avenue where every single person wore their personal brand of self-expression. It was truly awe-inspiring, the way every shade of glitter, every feather, and every flamboyant colour blended seamlessly into this beautifully diverse tapestry.
Imagine the shopping! Darlings, we have to discuss the fashion. Forget those sad old shops of my own time. In 2050, every single clothing shop was curated with flamboyant drag-inspired designs. They had shimmering body suits that clung like a second skin, feathered capes that swept behind you with a majestic swish, and oh darling, don't get me started on the shoes! My dear, my entire life was screaming for every single item in every single window! And every shop boasted that its garments were created by ethically conscious, eco-friendly, and diverse design studios, who celebrated inclusivity.
The drag performances in 2050, were, without doubt, mind-blowing! These queens had all embraced new technology, utilising holograms, drone lighting and virtual reality to create spectacles beyond anything weâve seen before. My favourite? It was at this massive drag ball in the heart of the city, they were dancing with holographic butterflies! My sweet little heart, donât even tell me this hasnât happened. And darling, if you were looking for a truly unique twist, youâd find queens incorporating all sorts of wild, wonderful elements into their shows, like performance art installations and even puppetry, and don't even get me started on the use of LED lighting! The craftsmanship, the energy, the sparkle, you wouldnât believe it, honey.
As if the fashion and performances were not enough, the inclusivity of drag in 2050 was quite simply astonishing. The drag scene was an amazing melting pot of LGBTQIA+ people from all corners of the globe. I saw queens who had travelled from faraway countries, and drag kings who were creating incredible, powerful looks and sharing their talents and their stories with everyone. And thatâs something thatâs really important to me. This is a journey for everyone.
The world was also using the power of drag to inspire positive change, as drag queens (and kings) were at the forefront of movements fighting for inclusivity and equality! You could spot them leading parades, rallying at marches, and advocating for change.
I know some of you may be saying "Emma, that sounds fabulous!" and it certainly was. But, just like anywhere, even in this glittering utopia of a future, there are always challenges. 2050 didn't just become a utopian paradise. A lot of hard work, change and education had gone into it! So many people in the LGBTQIA+ community had worked hard, to create change.
You might be thinking âWell Emma, Iâm only in 2024! So we've got to wait another 26 years before I can be a glamorous âQueen of the Futureâ, right?. Wrong darling. Right now, you can create a world thatâs more colourful, more expressive and more accepting for yourself and everyone else. You can create that future we saw today, and maybe weâll see you on my next post as one of the amazing people building the worldâs future.
Before I sign off, I do have to mention what I was wearing while I was enjoying this spectacle of self expression. Well, what else, it had to be pink! My new âfuture tutuâ, thatâs a shimmering, sparkly, pink ballet-inspired number! Let me tell you! The 2050 world is a haven for tutus, darling! So that pink tutu worked harder than it has ever worked.
My trip to 2050 made me realise that our journey towards acceptance is an ever-evolving one. As we step into the future, it's our responsibility to celebrate, empower, and elevate each other. Remember, darling, the future is always brighter with a little sprinkle of glitter and the most fabulous of all colours...Pink!
And now I'm off to find a fantastic Drag show - if you're planning on heading to Derby soon, come and say hello, because Iâve been saving all the best stories! Until next month!
Lots of love,
Emma xoxo
P.S. Donât forget to join me next month when we head into the year 2080. Canât wait to see how that future looks!